Page 17 - Stephen R. Covey - The 7 Habits of Highly Eff People.pdf

Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing of the bridge reported, "Light, bearing on the
starboard bow."

"Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out.

Lookout replied, "Steady, captain," which meant we were on a dangerous collision course
with that ship. The captain then called to the signal man, "Signal that ship: We are on a
collision course, advise you change course 20 degrees."

Back came a signal, "Advisable for you to change course 20 degrees."

The captain said, "Send, I'm a captain, change course 20 degrees."

"I'm a seaman second class," came the reply. "You had better change course 20 degrees."

By that time, the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send, I'm a battleship. Change course
20 degrees."

Back came the flashing light, "I'm a lighthouse."

We changed course

The A Paradigm Shift is the "a-ha" experience associated with finally perceiving or
understanding some aspect of the world (or a circumstance) in a different way. Paradigm
Shift experienced by the captain -- and by us as we read this account -- puts the situation
in a totally different light. We can see a reality that is superseded by his limited
perceptions -- a reality that is as critical for us to understand in our daily lives as it was
for the captain in the fog.

Principles are like lighthouses. They are natural laws that cannot be broken. As Cecil B.
deMille observed of the principles contained in his monumental movie, The Ten
Commandments, "It is impossible for us to break the law. We can only break ourselves
against the law."

While individuals may look at their own lives and interactions in terms of paradigms or
maps emerging out of their experience and conditioning, these maps are not the territory.
They are a "subjective reality," only an attempt to describe the territory.

The "objective reality," or the territory itself, is composed of "lighthouse" principles that
govern human growth and happiness -- natural laws that are woven into the fabric of
every civilized society throughout history and comprise the roots of every family and
institution that has endured and prospered. The degree to which our mental maps
accurately describe the territory does not alter its existence.
The reality of such principles or natural laws becomes obvious to anyone who thinks
deeply and examines the cycles of social history. These principles surface time and time
again, and the degree to which people in society recognize and live in harmony with
them moves them toward either survival and stability or disintegration and destruction.

The principles I am referring to are not esoteric, mysterious, or "religious" ideas. There is
not one principle taught in this book that is unique to any specific faith or religion,
including my own. These principles are a part of every major enduring religion, as well
as enduring social philosophies and ethical systems. They are self-evident and can easily
be validated by any individual. It's almost as if these principles or natural laws are part of

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